Modular handbag

ABSTRACT

A modular handbag having a main body and one or more removably attachable accessories is provided herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to handbags, such as hand-carried purses, shoulder bags, book bags, tote bags, messenger bags, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Handbags and other forms of carry cases, such as totes and luggage, are designed by manufacturers with consideration to a combination of aesthetics and functionality. However, only a limited amount of designs are mass produced, limiting a consumer's choice to the manufacturers' chosen combination of aesthetic design and functionality. There remains a need for a user-friendly, customizable handbag. The invention addresses this need by providing a handbag that is customizable to suit the owner's/user's unique usage and preferences while accommodating the immensely varied items that may be carried and stored.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fulfills the need for an easily customizable handbag. The present invention comprises modular handbags and handbag accessories having features capable of receiving the connection of accessories, such as apertures, and one or more fastening means to secure said handbag accessories to said modular handbags.

From a selection of individual components that connect in various ways, and that also can be altered and reassembled to suit future needs, the invention provides for a handbag that can be customized at the time of purchase or at any time after purchase, by adding, removing, or rearranging accessories. The main body or panel of the bag comprises such that straps, pockets, and various items, including keys, charms, trinkets and other items can be securely attached or hung from the bag via fastening means. Accessories can be easily moved from one area of the bag/panel to another, thereby providing the option to customize the product continually. Once assembled, the end product will look and function like a standard bag. Optionally, the handle(s) or strap(s) of the bag may comprise apertures such that accessories can be hung and/or attached. In another embodiment of the invention, a bag may be created by attaching straps to a handbag-sized single perforated panel to which pockets may be attached or not.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-E illustrates multiple configurations of the modular handbag of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a decorative item being secured to a grommet of the modular handbag of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a modular handbag and a modular handbag accessory of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-B, illustrates the functional use of straps as an item to which additional accessories can be fastened to.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises modular handbags and handbag accessories having features capable of receiving the connection of accessories, such as apertures, and one or more fastening means to secure said handbag accessories to said modular handbags.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 10 comprises a plurality of apertures 11. Through the apertures 11, accessories, such as additional storage components 12, straps 13, and decorative items, such as charms, chains, and trinkets, are securely fastened through or hung from apertures 11. Storage pockets used as accessories may be of any shape or size that may be secured to the handbag using the apertures and fastening means and include, but are not limited to, cell phone holders, mp3 player holders, change pockets, ID/credit card pockets, and the like. The plurality of the apertures 11 provides a high level of customization, as well as a large variety of configurations.

Apertures of the present invention include any type of aperture capable of receiving and connecting to a fastening means and suitable for use with the materials used in the construction of handbags. Apertures suitable for use in the present invention include grommets, button holes, eyelets, snaps, fabric loops, perforations, interwoven fabric, and attached loops. The apertures may be integral with or attached to the walls of the handbag. Both the inner and outer walls of the handbag may comprise apertures. In one embodiment of the invention, the handle(s) or strap(s) of the handbag may comprise apertures and may additionally receive accessories for connection.

Means of fastening accessories, such as storage components 12, can be buttons, snap fasteners, clips, zippers, ties, strings, ribbons, buckles, clasps, hooks, toggle fasteners, Velcro, and any other means known in the art. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 4, straps 13 can be woven through apertures 11, creating an additional means for fastening accessories to the main body of the handbag. Further, the handbag accessories can be fastened to the inside of the main body of the handbag, as well, using the same or different apertures. For example, if the aperture is a grommet or button hole that extends through both the inner and outer walls of the handbag, the aperture may be utilized to secure accessories on either the inside or outside of the handbag. In an alternative embodiment, the handbag may have separate apertures on both the inner and outer walls of the handbag, for example, grommets on the outside and button holes in fabric lining in the interior. Fastening the accessories, to the inside of the body of the bag can assist in compartmentalizing and organizing the contents of the handbag.

The main body of the handbag may be comprised of an outer material and an inner lining. The outer material may be comprised of one or several layers and may optionally be supplemented with batting or stiffening materials to create the appropriate composition for thickness, durability, and strength. The inner lining is preferably sewn together with the outer material. In a preferred embodiment, a grid of apertures, such as buttonholes, is arranged throughout the outer material and, optionally, the inner material. The apertures may optionally be finished in a material other than thread. The dispersed or patterned arrangement of apertures permits a wide variety of attachment and accessory options and user/owner customization and additionally permits the user/owner to modify and alter the handbag as desired, adding, removing, and rearranging accessories.

The various attaching sets, for example, two buttons attached together back to back, attach to the buttonholes in the pocket and to buttonholes in the bag or panel. These pockets can be attached inside or outside the bag. An inside attachment would allow the attaching piece, for example, the button, to become a decorative element seen on the outside of the bag. Other items can be attached to the outside buttons, for example a fabric flower, as an additional decorative element.

As both the main bag/panel and the pockets have buttonholes or openings, any number of attaching items can be used to secure one to the other. Custom-made clips and snaps may be used as optional attaching devices. Straps can be attached to the bag in much the same way as the pockets and other accessories and may include the use of standard buckles and locking loop hardware and the like. Further, the accessories themselves may have one or more apertures. This will allow for additional accessories to be fastened, or can be used as a part of a means to fasten the accessory itself to the main body 10. For example, two buttons can be linked back-to back and be used as a fastening means by securing one button through an aperture in main body 10, and securing the other button through an aperture in an accessory.

FIG. 2 demonstrates the use of apertures 11 to fasten decorative accessories to main body 10. In FIG. 2, an aperture of a handbag of the present invention is shown. In this instance, the aperture is a grommet. The accessory fastened to aperture 11 is a decorative ribbon.

FIG. 3 demonstrates a storage compartment 12 being fastened through an aperture 11 by a snap fastener affixed to the storage compartment 12. One flap of the snap fastener is passed through one aperture, and the other flap being passed through another aperture. The flaps are then fastened to each other while remaining passed through the apertures 11, securing storage compartment 12 to main body 10.

Bags within the scope of the present invention may be made from any material known in the art of bag or storage container manufacture and design, including, but not limited to, all variants of fabric, metal, rubber, plastics, plant fibers, and other suitable materials, with a preference for environmentally conscious products.

Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different embodiments. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments. 

1. A handbag comprising: a main body having a first surface and a second surface, wherein one or more of the first and second surfaces comprises a plurality of apertures, one or more modular handbag accessories selectively attachable and removable from said main body, wherein the one or more modular handbag accessories comprises one or more apertures or means of fastening; and one or more means of fastening said modular handbag accessories to said main body.
 2. The handbag of claim 1 wherein the main body is a single, substantially planar piece, wherein the first and second surfaces comprise the two sides of the substantially planar piece.
 3. The handbag of claim 1, wherein the means of fastening are integral with the modular handbag accessories.
 4. The handbag of claim 1, wherein the first surface connects with itself to form the outer wall of a bag and the second surface forms an inner wall of the bag.
 5. The handbag of claim 4, further comprising a third surface connected to the first surface and forming the bottom of the bag.
 6. The handbag of claim 1, wherein the one or more handbag accessories is selected from the group consisting of decorative elements, additional storage compartments, and straps.
 7. The handbag of claim 1, wherein the fastening means is one or more of buttons, snap fasteners, clips, zippers, ties, strings, ribbons, buckles, clasps, hooks, toggles, and Velcro.
 8. The handbag of claim 1, wherein the apertures are selected from the group consisting of grommets, button holes, eyelets, snaps, fabric loops, perforations, interwoven fabric, and attached loops.
 9. The handbag of claim 6, wherein the strap comprises one or more apertures.
 10. The handbag of claim 9, wherein the apertures are selected from the group consisting of grommets, button holes, eyelets, snaps, fabric loops, perforations, interwoven fabric, and attached loops. 